Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1887-06-09
LED INTO TEMPTATION.
Story Of a Remarkable Personal
Experience.

In 1886 L was the One-half owner OF
daily newspaper in Davenport. Iowa.
l had just left college; l was hopeful,
enthusiastic, and the prospects were
rose-hued and enchanting. A year later
Il great financial crisis swept over the
country and wrecked my journalistic
venture, leaving me bankrupt with
out any available resources. All the
coasts of the country were covered with
shattered craft. Everywhere there was
ruin which seemed final. / do not
know why did not go to the devil at
this period, as there appeared for a
time no route leading in any other
direction. In fact began to gravitate
thitherward, and probably should have
made the journey with due rapidity,
and with at least average brilliancy,
had there not occurred an incident,
which, for time at least, diverted my
steps in another direction.
There was man living in Daven-
port at that date named MCGUIRE. He
was connected with family of some
wealth, had been steamboatman for
many years and had closed his career
In that line through the loss of his eye
sight. Although totally blind, he pre-
served his energy and somewhat of his
ambition, and determined to earn his
own living. Many schemes were de-
Tised and discussed, and finally one was
adopted. 1t consisted in panoramic
exhibition. The Mormon matter was
at that time one of considerable prom
inence, and it was believed that the
public interest in the history of the
saints might be depended on as a source
of profit Accordingly Mcclure ordered
the painting of panorama, in which,
in a score of pictures, there were pre-
sented the principal events in the ca
reer of the Mormons.
Commencing with the finding of the
golden plates by Joseph Smith, the Sc
ries pictured the Mormons at Nauvoo,
the killing of Smith. the immigration
to Missouri, the crossing of the plains
by the fugitives to Salt Lake, views of
the new home. and one gorgeous panel
which claimed to be the portrait of
Brigham Young and his wives. The
artist was young fellow in Daven-
port who developed some artistic ten
denotes, who subsequently applied pig
ments to canvas in New Y ork City with
some success, and who is now engaged
as yender of caoutchouc products in
this city.
Mcclure needed some one to oversee
4 his movements and to act as the lee
S turer. l was offered the position at
tie then munificent salary of twenty
dollars a week, to be paid in gold, with
the promise of n lavish share in the
prospective inevitable profits of the
enterprise. The black field of vision
of the blind man became irradiated
as by a MONDAY sun, as his imagina-
ton contemplated the successes of his
venture. He would make the tour OF
al the principal cities of the States.
And, then, the old world! To the ma
tions of Europe the novelties of the
Mormon faith and people would make
the panoramic exhibition one of ire
;slstible attraction.
Albeit somewhat given TO pessimistic
views of life and inclined to despond-
ent conclusions, l became enthused
over his brilliant colorings of the
future. and saw myself the possessor OF
unlimited wealth.
The opening night of the panoramic
venture was in June, 1853. There was
a fair audience. who listened patiently
as 1 waGed for three hours through d
paper which 1 had prepared for the
occasion, and which was in the main a
young mans savage denunciation OF
the prosecutions of the unfortunat
saints.
The next night we gave an exhibition
at Rock Island, across tho river The
attendance was light, and as had cut
my lecture to one-half its original di-
mansions had reason to think that the
audience was at least better pleased
with this feature of the exhibition. a